THE WATER CYCLE Evaporation, Transpiration, Condensation, Precipitation, Surface-Water Flow, and Groundwater Flow
THE WATER CYCLE Movement of water between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. Takes place in the troposphere.
PRECIPITATION Water droplets fall to the Earth from the clouds after condensation. Types: rain, snow, sleet, or hail Temperature variations in clouds or in the region between cloud and earth allows for different precipitation.
Evaporation / Transpiration Water enters the atmosphere as water vapor through evaporation. Plants release water vapor in transpiration.
CONDENSATION Occurs in the atmosphere when water vapor changes to water droplets. Clouds form as a result of condensation. Dew forms when water vapor changes from gas directly on a surface. Frost forms when water vapor changes to ice crystals on a surface. The temperature is at the freezing point or below.
RUN-OFFS If precipitation falls on land, it will always attempt to move back to sea level. The surface determines the path of flowing to the sea level. Surface-water flow-water remains on surface when it is not porous or precipitation is falling too fast. Groundwater flow-water sinks into the ground when surface is porous (there is space in soil to hold the water.